IIHF World ChampionshipDiscuss International Tournaments like the WJC, Olympics, and World Cup, as they take place, or discuss past tournaments. performances.
I'm a little surprised that Ovechkin decided to participate after a horribly Olympics and playoffs. The WC are almost like a no win situation for him. Especially with regards to the North American media. If Russia doesn't win gold he will be mocked. If Russia does win gold he will be mocked.
I'm a little surprised that Ovechkin decided to participate after a horribly Olympics and playoffs. The WC are almost like a no win situation for him. Especially with regards to the North American media. If Russia doesn't win gold he will be mocked. If Russia does win gold he will be mocked.
Of course there is no denying his patriotism.
Or he could just be going because he wants to at least redeem some of the Russian performance from the Olympics?
I think the taste of Vancouver is still in his mouth, and won't get any better after a poor playoff result.
If they go, win the medal, or at least finish in the top two, it could at least add some respect to the Russians again. Sure, they're not playing the best Canadian team, but they're playing an ok one.
Ya for sure, Id be shocked if those guys didnt go.
This looks like the team to beat, Im hoping all the youth on canada makes them fast and hungry to win tho, hopefully see you guys in the finals.
3rd times gotta be a charm for OV this year after being on 2 previous "teams to beat" in regards to russia and washington
Anyone with half a brain knew that Russia wasn't "The team to beat" in the Olympics due to the backend not being strong. They lost to the team that was the favorite or at the very least the co favorite. And Washington is only in its third year of being in the playoffs, first time as "serious contender" so anyone who has watched hockey for the past few decades and seen young, talented teams do great things in the regular season only to stumble in the playoffs couldn't be too shocked.
That said I sure hope Russia can win the world champs because it'd be nice for Ovy to have something go right this year. Although he's still very young....not every great player is sucessful on the big stage by 24.
With all due respect to Ovechkin, the national team is more than about him. Guys like Fedorov, Kovalchuk, Afinogenov, Semin were also crushed by the Olympics. Many more players also didn't achieve anything in the post-season or didn't win any scoring races. There will be plenty of reasons for them to give it their all at the WC, but none greater than wanting to win it for Russia.
Didn't the poster on page 1 say that Tereschenko was cut? Or is that misinformation?
Also, what do you guys think about Datsyuk's chances of playing are? Pavel did not participate in 2006 Olympic year, when Detroit was eliminated in the first round.
Well I would imagine that Bykov is ef'd in a sense that if Russia fails to win gold, he'll be sacked. If Russia wins gold, critics will say that "of course you should've won, you had the best roster" or "you should won more clearly".
Well I would imagine that Bykov is ef'd in a sense that if Russia fails to win gold, he'll be sacked. If Russia wins gold, critics will say that "of course you should've won, you had the best roster" or "you should won more clearly".
Forwards:
Maxim Afinogenov (Atlanta Thrashers)
Evgeny Artyukhin (Atlanta Thrashers)
Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
Alexander Semin (Washington Capitals)
Alexei Tereschenko (Ak Bars Kazan)
Artem Anisimov (New York Rangers)
Ilya Kovalchuk (New Jersey Devils)
Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Maxim Sushinsky (SKA St. Petersburg)
Sergei Mozyakin (Atlant Mytischi)
Sergei Fedorov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk)
Viktor Kozlov (Salavat Yulaev Ufa)
Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings)
Alexander Svitov (Avangard Omsk)
personally imo considering the year some of the russians had, if they win this, even if it is just the WC, it could help their confidence much more than sitting around all summer thinking of the past.
personally imo considering the year some of the russians had, if they win this, even if it is just the WC, it could help their confidence much more than sitting around all summer thinking of the past.
Agreed. The Russians could use a good win, even against lesser competition.
well, i guess we don't have to worry about that now
but i don't think datsyuk would've been able to make it if they were knocked out tonight since surely by now the rosters are pretty complete. also, considering the wings have been in the finals the past 2 years, he probably needs the rest more than anything.
Well, it is the premier club competition for hockey... I'm positive Ov would take a Stanley Cup over a WC gold any time of day.
Very happy to see him in this tourney though, it raises its profile tremendously on an off year and shows his commitment to his country which is always great to see The man has character
The man has character
